Firefighters Rescue Residents from Late-night Apartment Fire in Duluth

DULUTH, GA – Gwinnett County Firefighters responded late Monday night to a structure fire at the Cortland Duluth Apartments after multiple residents reported smoke entering their units.

Crews were dispatched around 11:52 p.m. to the apartment complex at 1335 Herrington Road NW and arrived within minutes. Firefighters found smoke and flames coming from a lower-level unit of a multi-story building. During their initial size-up, crews discovered several residents trapped on upper floors because of fire and smoke conditions.

Firefighters immediately began rescue operations, using both ground ladders and aerial ladders to reach those unable to exit on their own. Multiple occupants were safely rescued. Three residents were treated by medical personnel at the scene and later released.

After all occupants were removed, crews advanced multiple hose lines and used elevated master streams to knock down the fire. Due to concerns about the building’s structural stability, operations shifted from an offensive to a defensive strategy once evacuations were complete. Search teams later confirmed the entire 28-unit building had been evacuated.

The fire was brought under control at approximately 1:27 a.m. No additional injuries were reported. Apartment management confirmed that 26 of the 28 units in the building were occupied at the time of the fire.

The American Red Cross is working with property management to assist displaced residents. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Fire crews on scene included four engines, two ladder trucks, a squad, a rescue unit, three medical units, a hazardous materials response unit, air and lighting support, a fire investigator, and command staff vehicles.